Harold Johnson (boxer)

Harold Johnson (born August 9, 1928, in Manayunk, Pennsylvania) was a professional boxer.

Johnson won his first twenty four fights before losing a ten round decision to Archie Moore, who would be Johnson's biggest career rival. Johnson rebounded to beat Jimmy Bivins, but was again defeated, losing a third round knock out to future heavyweight champion Jersey Joe Walcott after suffering an injury to a disc in his back. A year later he resumed his rivalry with Archie Moore, fighting Moore three times in a row, losing the rematch by a decision, winning the rubber match by decision, and losing the fourth bout by another decision.

Johnson would then split two fights with Bob Satterfield and win a decision over heavyweight contender Nino Valdez, before winning a disputed split decision over former heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles.

Johnson would finally get a title shot eight years into his career in his fifth and final fight against Archie Moore in 1954, in Moore's third defense of his light heavyweight title. In an exciting fight, Johnson knocked Moore down in the 10th round, and was ahead in the scorecards after 13 rounds. But Moore rallied, knocking Johnson down and stopping him in the 14th round.

Seven years later, after the National Boxing Association (NBA) withdrew recognition of Archie Moore as light heavyweight champion, Johnson defeated Jesse Bowdry in 1961 by a 9th round technical knock out to capture the vacant NBA title. Later that year he defeated heavyweight contender Eddie Machen by a ten round decision.

After two defenses of his NBA title, Johnson gained universal recognition as light heavyweight champion when he defeated Doug Jones in 1962 by a decision in fifteen rounds. He defended that undisputed title twice, but lost it in his second defense to Willie Pastrano in 1963, by a split decision in fifteen rounds. Johnson would never fight for a title again, and retired in 1971 with a record of 76-10 and 32 knock outs.

Harold Johnson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.

External links

* International Boxing Hall of Fame [http://www.ibhof.com/hjohnson.htm Bio]
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